I believe you’ve ever lost interest in a speaker even when the message in the presentation was great. I too have ever switched off my mind and resorted to meditation or some sort of passive activity as an alternative. That’s what happens whenever the speaker fails to keep the audience engaged and focused. So, no matter how critical your message might be; you need to also focus on capturing your audiences’ attention and keep them tuned in. So here is how you can keep your listeners interested and switched in:
Tell A Captivating Story
It’s our nature as humans to enjoy and learn from stories. It’s easy for someone to forget everything in your presentation or speech but not your story. It’s strongly advised therefore to tell a personal story because it is unique. If people listen to a common story, they are most likely to tune out. Your story should kick start your presentation. Because it’s then that you will get the audience hooked from the very start.
Keep Your Session Interactive
Research has proved that it’s easier to persuade an interactive audience than a passive one. You can do this by having two-way conversions with your audience. As an example; ask questions that the audience can answer with a “hand raise.” You can also give them a puzzle to solve or a test and ask for feedback later. In this way, you know you have your audience aboard.
Surprise Them Once In A While
This can be as simple as raising your tone while giving a strong point, or using an odd statement or phrase. This helps to call people to attention or recapture back the audience you had lost. The art of being unpredictable calls the mind back to alertness.
Keep It Humorous
Humor changes the chemistry in the room. As such, you are able to capture the audience’s attention because it gives them a reason to keep following your presentation. But much as fun is important, you need to study your audience first, so that you get to know what can arouse laughter out of them. You can also use personal stories that are new to your audience. Or, introduce in a game where winners get prizes. Whatever it takes, make sure fun stays in the room.
The bottom line is; your goal is to positively change how your audience feels, thinks and behaves. To put these techniques into great use, you need to strike a balance between vocal, body language and your words. I have created two remarkable resources that will enable you to rapidly capture your audience. To access them, click the links below…